'A long time': David Ornstein shares what Arsenal have been saying internally about Martin Zubimendi for ages

Today at 06:15 AM

Arsenal are close to signing Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.

Arsenal are set to sign Zubimendi in the summer, and this is a deal that has been in the pipeline for a little while now.

Indeed, Arsenal have been tracking Zubimendi for ages at this point, and according to David Ornstein, speaking on The Athletic FC Podcast, Arsenal have been saying for a long time internally that they thought the summer of 2025 would be the time to strike to land Zubimendi.

Liverpool were in for Zubimendi last summer, but Arsenal remained confident about this deal.

Arsenal have long thought that they'd have a chance to sign Zubimendi next summer, and that appears as though it could well come to fruition.

• READ MORE: Gary Lineker says whether he thinks Arsenal should sack Mikel Arteta after poor run of form

What Arsenal have been saying about Martin Zubimendi

According to Ornstein, Arsenal have been saying for quite some time that they thought they could sign Zubimendi next summer.

Mikel Arteta has played a key role in progressing the Zubimendi deal, and Ornstein says that Arteta has been driving this deal for a long time.

"Martin Zubimendi is a long-term target for Arsenal, for Mikel Arteta in particular who has been driving it for a long time.

"He came back into the conversation with many clubs in the summer, Arsenal considered it and Liverpool tried to sign him, but ultimately he decided to stay again. It's my informationa that Arsenal were working on it for some time and reinvigorated their pursuit when they were in the process of signing Mikel Merino.

"It now emerges that progress has been made, it's not done by all accounts, but it would be a deal for the summer. It's mainly personal terms right, if there is a release clause Arsenal will need to pay it unless Arsenal can negotiate with Sociedad.

"This is a major development, let's see how it goes forwards. I'm sure they're not the only club who like him. At Arsenal there has been confidence internally for a long time that they could sign him in the summer of 2025."

Martin Zubimendi record alongside other Arsenal players

If Zubimendi joins Arsenal, he will be linking up with a squad full of players he's familiar with.

Indeed, Arsenal have a number of ex-Real Sociedad players on their books right now.

Zubimendi has played with Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino and Kieran Tierney before, and he has a decent record alongside all three players.

Interestingly, Zubimendi has also played alongside Alexander Isak.

Isak is an Arsenal target heading into the summer, and he could be yet another former Sociedad player to make the move to north London.

Arsenal have scouted Takefusa Kubo too, so, if all the pieces fall into place, Arsenal could head into next season with no fewer than six former Real Sociedad players in their team.

Mikel Arteta was born in San Sebastian, and he clearly likes using his links to Real Sociedad to strengthen his current Arsenal side.